Government’s Efforts to Eradicate Unqualified Individuals from the Extractive Industry
The Nigerian Federal Government has articulated its resolute determination to foster professionalism within the nation’s extractive industry by actively addressing and eliminating unqualified individuals from this critical sector, widely acknowledged as a major source of wealth for Nigeria.
During the 13th Induction Ceremony and Accreditation Certificate Presentation organized by the Council of Nigeria Mining Engineers and Geoscientists, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Oladele Alake, underscored the pivotal role of the solid mineral sector in Nigeria’s economic landscape. The minister underscored the paramount importance of ensuring that only professionals are granted operating licenses in the mining industry, affirming, “The solid mineral is Nigeria’s vast source of wealth; hence, the need to ensure that only professionals are granted operating licenses in the mining industry”.
The minister announced that no mining engineer or geoscientist will be recognized by the Ministry of Solid Minerals without COMEG registration, unequivocally stating that unregistered individuals will be considered as unqualified individuals. Furthermore, all reports submitted to the ministry must bear the stamp of COMEG registration.
In his address, Dr. Alake underscored the commitment of the current administration to diversify the economy by harnessing the country’s mineral resources, marking the end of an era where the country relied solely on oil for economic development. He also urged the inductees to continuously pursue learning opportunities, emphasizing the country’s reliance on mining engineers and geoscientists to restore its lost glory.
Prof. Zachaeus Opafunso, the registrar of the Council of Nigerian Mining Engineers and Geoscientists, expressed his satisfaction with the successful induction of mining engineers who have passed both written and oral examinations. He also noted that online examinations were organized for members in the diaspora.
At the event, Prof. Noah Yusuf, the vice-chancellor of Al-hikmah University, Ilorin, Kwara State, was presented with the COMEG accreditation certificate by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Oladele Alake, marking another milestone in enhancing professionalism within the sector for national growth.
In a goodwill message, the president of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS), Prof. A. S. Olatunji, represented by Prof. Shedrack, emphasized that the induction programme marked another milestone in enhancing professionalism within the domain for national growth.
These initiatives reflect the government’s dedication to ensuring that only qualified and registered professionals are allowed to operate within the extractive industry, contributing to the sustainable development and growth of the sector for the benefit of Nigeria.
